Uganda commemorated the legacy of Yonatan Netanyahu through the dedication of a monument at Entebbe International Airport’s former terminal. Netanyahu, the older brother of current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was the sole Israeli service member killed during the hostage rescue operation that took place 50 years ago.
The hijacking occurred when two Palestinians and two German nationals seized an Air France aircraft that had departed Tel Aviv on 27 June 1976. After stopping in Athens, where the hijackers boarded, the plane was diverted to Libya for refueling before landing in Uganda, where it was welcomed by the government of Idi Amin. The hijackers demanded $5 million and the release of 53 imprisoned militants held across multiple countries in exchange for the passengers and crew. Following the selective release of some hostages on 30 June and 1 July, Israeli commandos launched a rescue operation on 3 July after flying from Israel via Kenya. The military action lasted less than 90 minutes and successfully extracted more than 100 hostages.
Beyond the single Israeli casualty, the operation resulted in significant loss of life. Three hostages—Jean-Jacques Mimouni, Pasco Cohen, and Ida Borochovitch—were killed during the raid, while a fourth hostage, Dora Bloch, was murdered in a Kampala hospital during treatment. The hijackers and three accomplices were killed, alongside at least 45 Ugandan soldiers engaged in the fighting.
Uganda’s military leadership acknowledged the historical significance of the event while characterizing it as a painful chapter in the nation’s history. Officials noted that Uganda-Israel relations have evolved substantially since that period, developing into a partnership based on mutual trust and cooperation. The statue, depicting Netanyahu advancing forward while carrying a machine gun, serves as a permanent memorial at the site where the operation occurred.
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